Tapwrit enters stud at Gainesway for a $12,500 fee

Son of Tapit won the Belmont Stakes last year

Classic winner and and millionaire Tapwrit has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Gainesway in Kentucky for a $12,500 stud fee in 2019.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, the grey son of three-time leading sire Tapit captured Gulfstream Park's one-mile Pulpit Stakes as a two-year-old.

At three, he set a new stakes record in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby, winning by four and a half lengths. He then followed a troubled sixth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby with a two-length score in the Belmont Stakes.

Tapwrit's 103 Beyer Speed Figure is the second-highest figure for a Belmont winner in the last decade, behind only American Pharoah's 105.

"Tapwrit always showed a great deal of ability, but in the Belmont Stakes he demonstrated the class and competitiveness you need to win a Classic race," Pletcher said. "With his outstanding physical and pedigree, Tapwrit certainly has the credentials to be a top sire."

Tapwrit was a $1.2 million yearling purchase by Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Robert V LaPenta from Denali Stud's consignment to the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale.

He is out of Spinaway Stakes winner and multiple Graded-stakes producer Appealing Zophie, who is also the dam of this year's Del Mar Derby winner Ride A Comet.

Eclipse president Aron Wellman said: "Tapwrit gave our partners one of the greatest highs a racehorse owner can have when he won the Belmont Stakes. Tapwrit remains the most expensive yearling Eclipse has ever acquired and formed a partnership for - a strong, well-made, beautiful yearling by champion sire Tapit out of a Grade 1-winning two-year-old. He rewarded our confidence in him, and I look forward to him rewarding breeders in his new career at stud."

Tapwrit is available for inspection at Gainesway from 1-2pm daily.

"We are excited to be standing a Classic-winning son of Tapit," said Gainesway president Antony Beck. "Physically, Tapwrit is as impressive of a stallion as you will find. He's going to have beautiful yearlings and make a tremendous sire."